Stories by J.R. De Groote

Embiid stars as 76ers beat Bucks 121-109

PHILADELPHIA — Joel Embiid was unyielding under the basket, arms extended sky high as Giannis Antetokounmpo tried to plow through the All-Star center for a bucket. Embiid absorbed the contact and slapped the ball out of Antetokounmpo’s hands, one of a bountiful of disruptive plays triggered by the big man.

Kawhi Leonard, Clippers rally to beat Lakers 111-106

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Clippers were resilient and dominant in the second half to put away the Los Angeles Lakers, using the NBA’s marquee Christmas game to show why the city and the Western Conference might belong to them this season.

Ravens clinch AFC’s top seed by beating Browns 31-15

CLEVELAND — Lamar Jackson threw three touchdown passes — two to tight end Mark Andrews late in the first half — and rushed for 103 yards as the Ravens won their 11th straight game, 31-15 over the Cleveland Browns on Sunday to lock up the conference’s top seed and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

49ers eliminate Rams from playoff contention with 34-31 win

SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Jimmy Garoppolo converted a pair of conversions on third-and-16 to set up Robbie Gould’s game-winning 33-yard field goal with no time left and the San Francisco 49ers eliminated the defending NFC champion Los Angeles Rams from playoff contention with a 34-31 victory Saturday night.

From purgatory to Pro Bowl for Cowboys’ Frederick

Dallas Cowboys center Travis Frederick was selected to his fifth Pro Bowl this week. No big deal, except that he’s barely a year removed from not being able to lift weights because of an autoimmune disorder that attacks the nervous system.

Kona’s 15th Annual Jingle Bell Beach Run set for Sunday

Christmas events statewide are in full swing from parades, to festivals, and lighted Christmas displays. Here on the Big Island, the community can look forward to one of the most anticipated holiday running events of the year — Sunday’s 15th annual Jingle Bell Beach Run.